Braeswood Place - Houston, TX

The Braeswood Place neighborhood was developed in the late 1940s and chartered in 1952. When the neighborhood was originally designed, ranch-style homes were common. However, over the last decade, more than 11 percent of the 2,220 homes have been replaced with luxury homes and condos. During the 1980s, this neighborhood was crime-stricken. In the early 1990s, a small group of community-oriented residents organized an effort to buy rundown apartments and commercial businesses within a four-block radius to make the area an asset to the neighborhood. As a result, Braeswood Place has grown into a desirable location.

The Houston Maritime Museum functions as the neighborhood museum. This historical museum provides lectures on Word War II and an interesting ships-in-a-bottle exhibit. The walking tour displays an array of ship models, anchors and different artifacts covering different topics. Annual events include the Braeswood Place Home & Garden Tour in April.

Braeswood Place has a wide selection of restaurants, diners, and bakeries. This neighborhood features dining options generously spread out throughout the entire area. Captain Benny's Half Shell Oyster Bar gives residents a distinct take on Cajun and Creole seafood-inspired cuisine. The restaurant has the shape of a boat and a decor that creates a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The seafood gumbo and fresh oysters are two of the highly recommended menu items.

Mama's Oven has a down South, soul food inspired menu that stays true to the Texas Southern culture. This restaurant has an inexpensive menu and a causal yet inviting dining environment. Popular menu items include smothered pork chops, oxtails, and Southern macaroni and cheese. Nightlife in Braeswood Place consists of a few bars and lounges. This area has a relaxed nightlife scene that provides a social yet bustling environment.

Main Street Lounge has live music on Wednesday, a free buffet, and premium drink specials that make visiting this lounge an enjoyable experience. This venue has an urban and professional atmosphere.

Braeswood Place is not the most walkable neighborhood in Houston. Although some errands can be accomplished on foot, most errands in Braeswood Place require a bike or a car. This neighborhood incorporates a minor bike infrastructure that provides a few bike lanes. Braeswood Place has a useful transit system and good public transportation options. This area uses METRO bus service and has six bus lines. The lines serving this community include the number 2, number 4, number 8 and number 68.

Many destinations in Braeswood Place require a vehicle. Car sharing services such as Zip Car, in the West University Place area, and Uber serve this neighborhood for residents without a vehicle. Local taxis are another transportation option that run regularly. Access to Interstate 610 and State Highway 90 provide a convenient method of reaching nearby locations.

Braeswood Place has several beautiful parks throughout the neighborhood. Helen's Park has earned the right to be called one of Houston's most attractive parks. This park provides a mini-oasis to residents with a mosaic fountain, bright flowers and a beautiful stream. The picturesque trails and ivy-covered bricks make Helen's Park a popular place to take pictures or enjoy a stroll.

A more family-friendly park, Karl Young Park, has a baseball field, a beautiful trail system and a picnic pavilion. The park also has three full-court basketball courts, a full tennis court, three half-court basketball courts and a picnic pavilion. Karl Young Park sits on slightly on near five acres of land and offers activities for the entire family. This park offers more opportunities for exercise than the other parks in the neighborhood. The Weekley Family YMCA hosts annual sporting events for children throughout the year.

The cost of living in the different subdivisions of Braeswood Place can range from 17 percent to as much as 70 percent higher than Houston. The cost of living increases proportionally with proximity to West University Place. A one-way fare on public transportation is $1.25 for local and METRORail. One bedroom apartments in this area start at $681 in the Mainstream Apartments and can reach as much as $1,646 at Alexan Main Street; the median rental rate is $1150.

Gas is 8 percent lower than the national average, and residents can expect to pay $3.50 for half a liter of domestic beer at a local bar or pub.

Braeswood Place has multiple chain retailers, such as Target, Family Dollar and Walgreens. Vanderbilt Square Shopping Center is a popular shopping center that includes a Randall's Food Market store and a Barnes & Noble.

This area also features several boutiques that provide fashionable accessories and clothing items. The Ultimate Dressing Room has a great shoe selection and high-quality clothing items that include unique and custom pieces. This boutique has a reputation for carrying accessories and items most chain retailers do not have. The French Cuff is another well-known boutique in the area. The French Cuff carries upscale and professional items with a hefty price tag. This boutique has designer items and accessories, as well as a diverse selection of clothing items.

The nearby Urban Harvest Farmers Market on Richmond Avenue provides locally produced goods, such as fresh juice and produce, to the Braeswood Place neighborhood every Saturday morning. Other items include dairy products, flowers, plants and prepared foods.